You will pass a World War 2 pill-box and then come to another bench over- looking Tresilian Bay ❹, named aer Pilgrimage Walks the court (tre) of the 4th century Prince Silian. The cave, known as Reynard’s or Cathedral Cave, was a favourite site for clandesne marriages. The cave may have been used by the Llantwit Major and monks of Illtud’s monastery as a place for quiet contemplaon. Use this spot to reflect on the beauty and glory of God’s creaon, looking at the waves that Cwm Colhuw have been driven over thousands of miles of open water across the Atlanc by the south-westerly winds and have beaten into the cliff face, over the years weakening it and dislodging tonnes of material. The constant movement—the In the footsteps of the Saints (3.5 miles) world is in a state of constant movement, all is flowing, all is changing—God creang, connually creang. e start in St Celc saints would make their journeys If you wish, you may descend to the bay, and if the de is out, explore the cave. W Illtud’s Church, to Cornwall, Briany and Ireland. Otherwise, turn back along the cliff path to Dimhole, and instead of going up which dates back to the From the beach we climb the steps up to the other side, take the path inland. You will come to a sle. There take the 12th century, and de- the cliff path, going as far as Tresilian path to the right, following the edge of a field. Another sle and gate takes you scribed by John Wesley Bay. We can imagine the Celc Chrisans into Church Lane, between two hedges. Follow this for half a mile, before it as the ‘most beauful walking these paths 1500 years ago, turns sharp le. church in Wales’. The looking out to sea and wondering where newly restored Galilee they may be called to travel. Instead of connuing on Church Lane, Chapel at the western end of the church go over the sle in front of you and has some fine 9th and 10th century cross over the Dovecot field. The Dove- Celc Chrisan stones. The ‘East Church’ cot and the Gate House on Church retains medieval wall-painngs and the Lane are the surviving remains of the unique Jesse Niche. Grange farmed by the monasc com- St Illtud founded his monasc school at munity of Llantwit Major of the 12th to Llantwit Major in about 490, ‘Britain’s 16th centuries. earliest centre of learning’. We don’t At the top of the field is a white stone sle set in the wall; climb over the sle, know the exact site of his ‘llan’ or Chris- turn le and follow the road down to St Illtud’s Church to conclude the walk. an community, but it was probably in the flat valley boom of Cwm Colhuw, We return to St Illtud’s Church along Map Refreshments described as ’a most ferle open plain’ ancient field tracks and lanes, used by OS Explorer 151 Cardiff and Bridgend Llantwit Major has a wealth of cafés and called vallis prospera, ‘prosperous farmers, travellers—and pilgrims—for valley’. Here children were taught Public Transport providing drinks and meals, restau- many centuries. rants and pubs. ‘rhetoric, grammar and arithmec’ and The 303 NAT bus runs hourly in both adults trained as missionaries. The com- The Celc Chrisan community probably direcons between Bridgend and The beach café is open all the year moved from their site near the sea to round. munity included families as well as single Llantwit Major, connecng with the men and women. where the present church is built in the 304 to Barry. Trains from Cardiff and Informaon 8th-9th century as the result of raids by The main thoroughfares were the sea Bridgend. For up-to-date travel infor- Guide books and leaflets in St Illtud’s Irish pirates and Vikings. This became a routes, and there is evidence of a port at royal burial ground, as shown by the maon visit www.traveline-cymru Church; informaon boards in the Llantwit Major, to and from which the town and at the beach. crosses now in the Galilee Chapel. ❶ Walk through the Meadows to the sea, keeping the river on your right.❷The 12th century Life of St

❶ Illtud describes how he came to this wide flat valley, with steep cliffs on either side, running down to the beach. The ground was ferle; the river provided ample water. So Illtud built himself a hut, and for the next three months learnt how to pray. He fed on wild roots and fruit, but also cleared the land round his hut and sowed seed. Llantwit Major This valley near the sea became the largest school in the whole of Britain. Kings and chiefs sent their chil- dren here; many other monks came to share in God’s mission led by Illtud. A number, such as Samson, Gildas and Paulinus, crossed to Cornwall and Bria- ny, and established Chrisan communies there. On the site of this first monastery, reflect on your commitment to God and his mission to bring the good news of salvaon-wholeness-to all people. Tresilian On reaching the mouth of Afon Colhuw at the popu- Bay lar Llantwit beach ❸ you have the opportunity to use the facilies—toilets, café, and picnic area. FACILITIES According to legend, it was Illtud’s monks who built Parking ❹ ❷ the ridge of pebbles across the beach to prevent the Bus stop Dimhole monastery being flooded. There is no visible evi- Public Conveniences dence—only wrien—of the former port, though it Picnic tables must be remembered that the land extended much Café further out into the Bristol Channel at the me; Public House serving meals ❸ coastal erosion is very obvious through the many cliff falls along this stretch. Take the path between the café and the Surf Rescue building and climb up to Start St Illtud’s Church, Llantwit Major CF61 1SG (SS 9660 6872) the cliff top, where there is a metal bench for walkers to ‘rest and be thankful’. Geng there 303 bus from Bridgend or 304 from Barry; trains from Bridgend As seafarers, the Celts had a great respect for the sea, marvelling at its constant and Cardiff. Car Parks in the town. movement, the rise and fall of the de, which here is the second greatest in the Walk world. They saw themselves as caught up in the ebb and flow of the whole of From the south gate of St Illtud’s Church ❶turn le following the boundary creaon, and could see that each one of us is a very small and wall to the top, then at the juncon of lanes turn right, with the Town Hall car- frail cra in a mighty ocean. So there are many Celc Chrisan prayers for protecon, and parcularly for the guidance of the park boundary wall on your le and a field on your right (see insert). Follow the Holy Spirit, for which the Celc Chrisan symbol is the Wild lane to its juncon with Colhuw Street. Goose. As you stand or sit on the cliff top above the beach, pray with the saints Turn right down the hill, staying on Colhuw Street, which becomes Beach Road, of old “Wild Goose, come to me.” unl you reach a mini-roundabout at the end of the houses. Connue down the Connue along the surfaced path on the cliff top, taking in the views across to hill, over a small bridge, to a metal kissing-gate on your right. Exmoor. You will come to another bench, before the path drops down to Dim- hole. Take the path up the other side, and again follow the cliff path.